Evacuated bag with mattress and reuse of resealed bag after release of vacuum

ABSTRACT

In embodiments, a mattress is bagged, compressed, and sealed at a first geographic location. A bag utilized for the bagging has an openable and closeable vent. The bagged, compressed, and sealed mattress is shipped to a destination, second geographic location. It may be warehoused in the bagged, compressed, and sealed state, and may also be further transported to distributors or retailers. At a desired point, the bagged, compressed, and sealed mattress is vented before the final end use. Such may occur before delivery to the retailer or retail customer. The vent is reclosed and the bagged uncompressed and sealed mattress is then delivered to the retailer or end user. A bagged, compressed, sealed mattress has an openable and closeable vent.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/273,143 filed Dec. 30, 2015. Said application is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to innerspring mattresses and moreparticularly to a packaged mattress assembly including an innerspringmattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mattresses are bulky items that are expensive to ship. Upon sale anddelivery to retail customers, the mattresses must be aestheticallyperfect, undamaged and clean. Mattresses typically have a fabriccovering that can retain dirt, dust and debris. Such soiling isunacceptable prior to delivery to the end consumer and thus mattressesneed to be protected during shipment. Mattresses may be manufactured atremote locations, for example overseas, and shipped by cargo containerin ships or by truck to a destination country. At such destinationcountry, the mattresses are shipped, typically by truck, todistributors, warehouses, retailers, and ultimately end users. It isadvantageous to bag, compress, and seal mattresses at their site ofmanufacture prior to overseas or other distant shipment due to thereduced volume and corresponding savings in the shipment. For commodityitems such as mattresses, margins can be low and any savings, inshipping, packaging, handling can be significant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In embodiments, a mattress is bagged, compressed, and sealed at a firstgeographic location. A bag utilized for the bagging has an openable andcloseable vent. The bagged, compressed, and sealed mattress is shippedto a destination, second geographic location. It may be warehoused inthe bagged, compressed, and sealed state, and may also be furthertransported to distributors or retailers. At a desired point, thebagged, compressed, and sealed mattress is vented before the final enduse. Such may occur before delivery to the retailer or retail customer.The vent is reclosed and the bagged uncompressed and sealed mattress isthen delivered to the retailer or end user.

In embodiments, the bag is a rectilinear prism shaped form fitting bagsized to standard sized mattresses and has a closed, openable, andrecloseable vent thereon before the bagging. In other embodiments, arecloseable vent is added during the process of compressing, bagging,and sealing the bagged mattress.

A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the bagin which the mattress is bagged, compressed, sealed, and shipped, from afirst location to a second location is maintained on the mattress afterthe mattress is vented and allowed to expand to its normal size. Saidbag may be resealed to keep dirt, debris, out of the packaged mattress.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the mattress can bevented, allowing the bagged compressed mattress to return to it originalsize manually without any hand tools. In embodiments the vent can bereclosed after venting without any hand tools and without adding anyfurther materials or things.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a mattress.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view showing a packaged mattressassembly.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a conforming form fit bag of arectilinear prism shape with a vent means thereon.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a bagged mattress using the bag of FIG.2A.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a bagged, compressed, and sealedmattress in the form fitting bag of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a packaged mattress assemblyincluding a vent.

FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D are a series of stylized isometric viewsillustrating the operation of a vent shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method in accordancewith this detailed description.

FIGS. 6-10 are discrete steps that may be substituted for or added toFIG. 5. Additionally these steps may be utilized in any combinationand/or order to define embodiments of the invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. Thisdescription is an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodimentsillustrated.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a mattress 104 in accordance withthe present detailed description. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1,the mattress 104 comprises an innerspring assembly including a pluralityof springs. A quilted cover of the mattress 104 can be seen covering theinnerspring assembly in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, no externalforces are acting on the mattress 104 and the mattress is free to assumea uncompressed state. With reference to FIG. 1, it will be appreciatedthat the mattress 104 has a thickness T1 when the mattress 104 is in theuncompressed state. With continuing reference to FIG. 1, it will beappreciated that the mattress 104 has a length L and a width W definedby a top side surface 136 and a bottom side surface 138 of the mattress104 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view showing a packaged mattressassembly 100 in accordance with the present detailed description. Thepackaged mattress assembly 100 of FIG. 2 includes a bag 102 having a bagwall 122. The bag wall 122 has an interior surface 124 and an exteriorsurface 126. The interior surface 124 of the bag wall 122 defines acavity 128 that is dimensioned to receive a mattress 104. The packagedmattress assembly 100 of FIG. 2 includes a vent 130 that may beselectively opened and closed. The vent 130 comprises an adhesive strip132 overlaying a slit 134 in the bag wall 122 in the embodiment of FIG.2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the vent 130 is in a closed state withthe adhesive strip 132 positioned to cover and close the slit 134 in thebag wall 122.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, no external forces are acting on themattress 104 and the mattress 104 is free to assume an uncompressedstate. With reference to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that themattress 104 has a thickness T1 when the mattress 104 is in theuncompressed state. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the cavity 128 definedby the interior surface 124 of the bag wall 122 is dimensioned toreceive the mattress while the mattress is in the uncompressed stateshown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in some useful embodiments, the bag 102′ isconfigured such that when the packaged mattress assembly 100 is in theuncompressed non evacuated state, the bag 102′ is form fit to themattress 104. The term “form fit” may be taken to mean that the bag wall122 of the bag 102′ generally conforms to the shape of the mattress 104in the noncompressed state. FIG. 2B illustrates a mattress in the formfitting bag and FIG. 2C illustrates the bagged, compressed, and sealedmattress in the form fitting bag.

The form fitting bags may be about the size of standard size mattresseswith extra material on one end. Examples of mattress sizes include king,queen, full, twin and crib. A king size mattress may have a width ofabout 76 inches and a length of about 80 inches. A queen size mattressmay have a width of about 60 inches and a length of about 80 inches. Afull size mattress may have a width of about 53 inches and a length ofabout 75 inches. A twin size mattress may have a width of about 38inches and a length of about 75 inches. A crib size mattress may have awidth of about 28 inches and a length of about 52 inches. So themattresses are corresponding sized with some extra room for easyinsertion and with extra material on an open end of the bag for sealing,see FIG. 2B. Thus the bag sizes may be, for example, as follows:

King (inches) Queen (inches) Full (inches) Twin (inches) Crib (inches)76 to 79 width 60 to 63 width 53 to 55 width 38 to 40 width 28 to 30width 80 to 84 length 80 to 84 length 75 to 78 length 75 to 78 length 52to 54 length  7 to 9 depth  7 to 9 depth  7 to 9 depth  7 to 9 depth  3to 5 depth 76 to 79 width 60 to 63 width 53 to 55 width 38 to 40 width28 to 30 width 80 to 84 length 80 to 84 length 75 to 78 length 75 to 78length 52 to 54 length 10 to 12 depth 10 to 12 depth 10 to 12 depth 10to 12 depth  5 to 7 depth 76 to 79 width 60 to 63 width 53 to 55 width38 to 40 width 80 to 84 length 80 to 84 length 75 to 78 length 75 to 78length 14 to 16 depth 14 to 16 depth 14 to 16 depth 14 to 16 depth

The bag wall (such as, for example, bag wall 122) may comprise variousmaterials without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detaileddescription. In some useful embodiments, the bag wall comprisespolymeric film. Polymeric film materials that may be suitable in someapplications include: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene(PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and biaxiallyoriented polypropylene (BOPP). The bag wall (such as, for example, bagwall 122) may have various thickness values without deviating from thespirit and scope of this detailed description. In an embodiment, the bagwall of a bag of a packaged mattress assembly has a thickness betweenabout 10 mil and about 0.5 mil. In an embodiment, the bag wall of a bagof a packaged mattress assembly has a thickness between about 6 mil andabout 1.0 mil. In an embodiment, the bag wall of a bag of a packagedmattress assembly has a thickness between about 4 mil and about 1.5 mil.In an embodiment, the bag wall of a bag of a packaged mattress assemblyhas a thickness of about 3 mil. In all cases, the thickness issufficient to not allow the compressed sealed mattress bag to deform orrip to allow unintended venting of the bag.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a packaged mattress assembly 100 inaccordance with the present detailed description. The packaged mattressassembly 100 of FIG. 3 comprises a mattress 104 and a bag 102 having abag wall 122. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the mattress 104 is locatedinside a cavity 128 defined by an interior surface of the bag wall 122.In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the packaged mattress assembly 100 is in acompressed evacuated state.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that an internalpressure PI is present inside cavity 128. An external pressure PE isapplied to the exterior surface 126 of the bag wall 122 by thesurrounding atmosphere ATM. The internal pressure PI present inside thecavity 128 is less than the external pressure PE while the packagedmattress assembly 100 is in the compressed evacuated state shown in FIG.3. The external pressure PE of the surrounding atmosphere is applyingcompressive forces on the mattress 104 due to the pressure differentialbetween the internal pressure PI and the external pressure PE.

The packaged mattress assembly 100 of FIG. 3 includes a vent 130 thatmay be selectively opened and closed. The vent 130 comprises an adhesivestrip 132 overlaying a slit 134 in the bag wall 122 in the embodiment ofFIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the vent 130 is in a closed statewith the adhesive strip 132 positioned to cover and close the slit 134in the bag wall 122. When this is the case, the adhesive strip 132 mayprevent de-evacuation of the packaged mattress assembly 100 so that thepackaged mattress assembly 100 remains in the compressed evacuatedstate.

The adhesive strip 132 may be partially or completely removed from thebag wall 122 to release the packaged mattress assembly 100 from thecompressed evacuated state. The packaged mattress assembly 100 maytransition to the uncompressed non evacuated state when the adhesivestrip is partially or completely removed to open the vent 130. Once thepackaged mattress assembly 100 is in the uncompressed non evacuatedstate, the adhesive strip 132 may be replaced on the slit 134 to resealthe bag 102.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that the mattress 104has a thickness T2 when the mattress 104 is in the compressed evacuatedstate. Thickness T2 is smaller than thickness T1 shown in FIG. 2. Insome useful embodiments, the mattress has a reduced thickness when thepackaged mattress assembly is in the compressed evacuated state and hasan expanded normal thickness when the packaged mattress assembly is inthe uncompressed non evacuated state.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that themattress 104 has a length L and a width W. In some useful embodiments,the mattress has a length and a width defined by a top side surface anda bottom side surface of the mattress and the length and width aresubstantially the same when the packaged mattress assembly is in thecompressed evacuated state and when the packaged mattress assembly is inthe uncompressed non evacuated state. The phrase “substantially thesame” may be defined as within 15%, or where the mattress and structuretherein is within the same footprint, but the side wall material/fabricof the mattress may upon compression may extend outwardly no more thanone half the thickness of the mattress.

Various methods may be used to assemble the packaged mattress assembly100 and to place the packaged mattress assembly in the compressedevacuated state without deviating from the present detailed description.Examples of such methods are disclosed in the following United StatesPatents, which patents are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety: U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,524, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,030, U.S. Pat.No. 6,098,378, U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,193, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,895,813.Examples of additional methods are disclosed in the following publishedUnited States patent applications, which patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety: US2007/0204566,US2014/0157518, and US2015/0274356.

A packaged mattress assembly may include various valve structureswithout deviating from the spirit and scope of this detaileddescription. Examples of such valve structures are disclosed in thefollowing United States Patents, which patents are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 1,555,373, U.S. Pat. No.1,917,535, U.S. Pat. No. 2,859,932, U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,727, U.S. Pat.No. 5,632,291, U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,870, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,899, U.S.Pat. No. 6,960,113, U.S. Pat. No. 3,141,261, and U.S. Pat. No.4,758,198.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the adhesive strip 132 comprises a tab 140configured to be grasped between a thumb and a finger of a hand. In someuseful methods in accordance with this detailed description, the bag 102may remain in position surrounding the mattress 104 while the mattress104 is handled, stored and transported. When this is the case, the bagwill serve to protect the mattress 104 from soiling, staining andabrasion while the mattress 104 is handled, stored and transported.

FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D are a series of stylized isometric viewsillustrating the operation of vent 130 shown in the previous figure.FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D may be collectively referred to as FIG. 4. Twoportions of a bag 102 are shown in FIG. 4. Bag 102 of FIG. 4 comprises abag wall 122 having an interior surface 124 defining a cavity 128. Avent 130 is also visible in FIG. 4. The vent 130 comprises an adhesivestrip 132 and a slit 134 defined by the bag wall 122 in the embodimentof FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4A, the adhesive strip 132 of vent 130 can be seen overlayingthe slit 134 in the bag wall 122. The adhesive strip 132 is positionedto cover and close the slit 134 in the bag wall 122 in the embodiment ofFIG. 4A. With reference to FIG. 4A, it will be appreciated that aninternal pressure PI is present inside cavity 128. An external pressurePE is applied to the exterior surface 126 of the bag wall 122 by thesurrounding atmosphere ATM. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the internalpressure PI is less than the external pressure PE.

In some cases, the internal pressure PI present inside cavity 128 may beless than the external pressure PE while a mattress located inside thecavity 128 is in a compressed evacuated state. When this is the case,the adhesive strip 132 may prevent de-evacuation of the mattress 104 andthe bag 102 may maintain the mattress 104 in the compressed evacuatedstate. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the vent 130 may be selectivelyopened and closed. The vent 130 may be opened, as desired, fortransitioning the packaged mattress assembly 100 from a compressedevacuated state to an uncompressed non evacuated state. Opening the vent130 may allow the internal pressure PI to equalize with an externalpressure PE of the surrounding atmosphere ATM.

In FIG. 4B, a tab 140 of the adhesive strip 132 can be seen beinggrasped between a thumb and a finger of a hand. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the tab 140 is formed by folding a substrate 142 of the adhesivestrip 132 so that a first portion 146 of the substrate 142 overlaps asecond portion 148 of the substrate 142. An adhesive covering of theadhesive strip 132 may adhere the first portion 146 to the secondportion 148. In FIG. 4B, a portion of the adhesive strip 132 has beenpeeled away from the bag wall 122 so that a small portion of the slit134 is uncovered. However, most of the slit 134 remains covered by theadhesive strip 132 in the embodiment of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4C is an additional isometric view showing adhesive strip 132 andslit 134 of vent 130. With reference to FIG. 4C, it will be appreciatedthat the adhesive strip 132 comprises an adhesive layer 144 overlaying asubstrate 142. By comparing FIG. 4C with FIG. 4B, it will be appreciatedthat the tab 140 of adhesive strip 132 has been pulled further in adirection D in the embodiment of FIG. 4C relative to the embodiment ofFIG. 4B. Pulling tab 140 in direction D has caused more of the slit 134to be uncovered in the embodiment of FIG. 4C.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4C, it will be appreciated that thevent 130 has been opened by peeling the adhesive strip 132 away from aportion of the slit 134. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, an internalpressure PI is present inside cavity 128 defined by an inner surface xx124 the bag wall 122. An external pressure PE is applied to the exteriorsurface 126 of the bag wall 122 by the surrounding atmosphere ATM.Opening the vent 130 has allowed the internal pressure PI to equalizewith the external pressure PE in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4C.

If desired, the adhesive strip 132 may be replaced over the slit 134after the pressure has equalized thereby closing the vent 130. In someuseful methods in accordance with this detailed description, the bag mayremain in position surrounding the mattress while the mattress ishandled, stored and transported. When this is the case, the bag mayserve to protect the mattress from soiling, staining and abrasion whilethe mattress is handled, stored and transported.

FIG. 4D is an additional isometric view showing the slit 134 in the bagwall 122. In the embodiment of FIG. 4D, the adhesive strip has beencompletely separated from the exterior surface 126 of the bag wall 122.Accordingly, the slit 134 is completely unobstructed in the embodimentof FIG. 4D.

In an embodiment, a packaged mattress comprises a mattress and a baghaving a bag wall. The bag wall may carry an openable and closeablevalve in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the bag wall forproviding the necessary venting when the bagged, compressed, and sealedmattress is converted to the bagged uncompressed mattress. A packagedmattress assembly may include various valves without deviating from thespirit and scope of this detailed description. Examples of such valvesare disclosed in the following United States Patents, which patents arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No.1,555,373, U.S. Pat. No. 1,917,535, U.S. Pat. No. 2,859,932, U.S. Pat.No. 3,600,727, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,291, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,870.Generally these valves will be attached to the bags before the bags areprovided for the bagging, compressing, and sealing the mattresses.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method in accordancewith this detailed description. At block 150A of the flowchart, apackaged mattress is transported in a bag in a compressed evacuatedstate from a first geographic region to a second geographic region. Insome useful embodiments, the first geographic region is proximate to amattress manufacture location and the second geographic region includeslocations in which the retail sale of mattresses is conducted. In someembodiments, the first geographic region and the second geographicregion are more than 1,000 miles away from one another.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate steps that may provide variations of the methodillustrated in FIG. 5. Any or all of the steps of FIG. 5 may be replacedwith any combination of the steps of FIGS. 6-10 in embodiments.

In some useful embodiments, the packaged mattress may be disposed insidean intermodal shipping container while the packaged mattress istransported from the first geographic region to the second geographiclocation. The intermodal shipping container may be transported usingocean going vessels, railroads, airplanes, and/or over-the-roadvehicles. Intermodal shipping containers that may be suitable in someapplications are disclosed in the following United States Patents, whichpatents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S.Pat. No. 2,853,968, U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,051, U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,738,and U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,832.

At block 150B, an openable and closeable vent on the bag is opened atthe second geographic region to release the packaged mattress from thecompressed evacuated state to an uncompressed non evacuated state. Insome useful embodiments, the step of opening an openable and closeablevent on the bag at the second geographic region occurs at a warehouse ofa retail distributor or a wholesale distributor. In other usefulembodiments, the step of opening an openable and closeable vent on thebag at the second geographic region occurs in or proximate to a deliveryvehicle that delivers the packaged mattress to an end user who haspurchased the mattress.

At block 150C, the openable and closeable vent is closed at the secondgeographic region. In some useful methods in accordance with thisdetailed description, the vent may be resealed and the bag may remain inposition surrounding the mattress while the mattress is handled, storedand transported. When this is the case, the bag may serve to protect themattress from soiling, staining and abrasion while the mattress ishandled, stored and transported.

At block 150D, the uncompressed non evacuated packaged mattress isdelivered with the closed vent to an end user who has purchased themattress.

Various methods may be used to assemble a packaged mattress assembly andto place the packaged mattress assembly in a compressed evacuated statewithout deviating from the present detailed description. Such methodsmay include the step of providing a plurality of suitably sized bags.Each bag may comprise a bag wall having an interior surface defining acavity. Each bag may also include a vent configured to be selectivelyopened and closed. For example, the vent may comprises an adhesive stripoverlaying a slit in the bag wall.

A mattress may be inserted into the cavity of each bag. The bag and themattress may then be placed in a hydraulic press capable of compressingthe mattress. The mattress may then be compressed using the hydraulicpress. As the mattress is compressed, air will be expelled from thecavity of the bag. If desired, additional air may be removed from thecavity of the bag using one or more vacuum pumps. An opening of the bagmay be sealed. In some cases, a heat sealing process may be used to sealthe opening of the bag. For example, the bag wall me be squeezed betweentwo heated bars covered with Teflon coated fiberglass causing the innersurface of the bag wall to be welded to itself along a heat seal line.

Methods which may be suitable in some applications are disclosed in thefollowing United States Patents, which patents are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,524, U.S. Pat. No.5,622,030, U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,378, U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,193, and U.S.Pat. No. 7,895,813. Examples of additional methods are disclosed in thefollowing published United States patent applications, which patentapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:US2007/0204566, US2014/0157518, and US2015/0274356.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaged mattress, the packaged mattress havinga compressed evacuated state and being releasable to an uncompressed nonevacuated state, the packaged mattress comprising: a bag having a bagwall, the bag wall having an interior surface and exterior surface, theinterior surface defining a cavity, the mattress disposed inside thecavity; the mattress having a thickness direction and having a reducedthickness measured in the thickness direction when packaged mattress isin the compressed evacuated state and having an expanded normalthickness when in the uncompressed non evacuated state; whereby when thepackaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state, the bag wallhaving an openable and closeable vent in fluid communication with thecavity, the openable and closeable vent comprising an adhesive stripoverlaying a slit in an exterior surface of the bag wall, the adhesivestrip being positioned to cover and close the slit in the bag wall,whereby when the packaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state,the adhesive strip prevents de-evacuation of the packaged mattress andmaintains the packaged mattress in the compressed evacuated state, andwhereby the adhesive strip may be at least partially removed forreleasing the packaged mattress from the compressed evacuated state,whereby the packaged mattress goes to the uncompressed non evacuatedstate, the adhesive strip replaceable on the slit when the mattress isin the uncompressed non evacuated state.
 2. The packaged mattress ofclaim 1, wherein the bag is form fit to the packaged mattress when thepackaged mattress is in the uncompressed non evacuated state.
 3. Thepackaged mattress of claim 1, wherein the adhesive strip comprises a tabadapted and dimensioned to be grasped between a thumb and a finger of ahand when the mattress is in the compressed evacuated state.
 4. Thepackaged mattress of claim 3, wherein the tab comprises a part of theadhesive strip that is folded so that a first portion of the substrateoverlaps a second portion of the substrate with the adhesive coveringthe first portion is adhered to the adhesive covering the secondportion.
 5. The packaged mattress of claim 4, wherein the seal is brokenwhen the adhesive strip is peeled away from the exterior surface of thebag wall.
 6. The packaged mattress of claim 1, wherein an interiorpressure inside the cavity is less than an atmospheric pressure outsideof the cavity so that the atmospheric pressure on the exterior surfaceof the bag wall applies compressive forces to the mattress.
 7. Thepackaged mattress of claim 6, wherein: the mattress is biased to assumea relaxed shape in which the mattress has a first thickness; and thecompressive forces applied to the mattress urge the mattress to assume acompressed shape in which the mattress has a second thickness that issmaller than the first thickness.
 8. The packaged mattress of claim 1wherein the closed vent is defined by a slit in the mattress wall, theslit openable and closeable.
 9. The packaged mattress of claim 8 whereinthe slit is openable and closeable by a strip of adhered materialcovering the slit.
 10. A packaged mattress, the packaged mattress havinga compressed evacuated state and being releasable to an uncompressed nonevacuated state, the packaged mattress comprising: a bag having a bagwall, the bag wall having an interior surface and exterior surface, theinterior surface defining a cavity, the mattress disposed inside thecavity, the mattress having a thickness direction and having a reducedthickness measured in the thickness direction when packaged mattress isin the compressed evacuated state and having an expanded normalthickness when in the uncompressed non evacuated state, the mattresshaving a length and a width defined by a top side surface and a bottomside surface of the mattress, the length and width substantially thesame when the packaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state andwhen the packaged mattress is in the uncompressed non evacuated state;the bag configured such that when the packaged mattress is in theuncompressed non evacuated state, the bag is form fit to the mattress;whereby when the packaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state,the bag wall having a defined venting region visually identifiable anddifferentiated on the bag wall, the defined venting region in fluidcommunication with the cavity, the wall having a closed vent manuallyopenable without separate tools at the venting region for releasingevacuation in the packaged mattress whereby the packaged mattress goesto the uncompressed non evacuated state; the vent closeable after thepackaged mattress is in it uncompressed non evacuated state withoutusing separate tools or components.
 11. The packaged mattress of claim10 wherein the closed vent is defined by a slit in the mattress wall,the slit openable and closeable.
 12. The packaged mattress of claim 11wherein the slit is openable and closeable by a strip of adheredmaterial covering the slit.
 13. The packaged mattress of claim 10wherein the closed vent has an openable and closeable valve in acircular air passageway.
 14. The packaged mattress of claim 10 whereinthe vent comprises a pair of sealable edge surfaces.
 15. The packagedmattress of claim 10 where in the closed vent is utilizable forevacuating the packaged mattress to the compressed evacuated state. 16.The packaged mattress of claim 10, wherein the bag is form fit to thepackaged mattress when the packaged mattress is in the uncompressed nonevacuated state.
 17. The packaged mattress of claim 10, wherein theadhesive strip comprises a tab configured to be grasped between a thumband a finger of a hand when the mattress is in the compressed evacuatedstate.
 18. The packaged mattress of claim 17, wherein the tab comprisesa part of the adhesive strip that is folded so that a first portion ofthe substrate overlaps a second portion of the substrate with theadhesive covering the first portion is adhered to the adhesive coveringthe second portion.
 19. The packaged mattress of claim 18, wherein theseal is broken when the adhesive strip is peeled away from the exteriorsurface of the bag wall.
 20. A packaged mattress, the packaged mattresshaving a compressed evacuated state and being releasable to anuncompressed non evacuated state, the packaged mattress comprising: abag having a bag wall, the bag wall having an interior surface andexterior surface, the interior surface defining a cavity, the mattressdisposed inside the cavity; the mattress having a thickness directionand having a reduced thickness measured in the thickness direction whenpackaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state and having anexpanded normal thickness when in the uncompressed non evacuated state;whereby when the packaged mattress is in the compressed evacuated state,the bag wall having an openable and closeable vent in fluidcommunication with the cavity, the openable and closeable ventcomprising an adhered strip overlaying an exterior surface of the bagwall, the adhered strip being positioned to cover and close a slit inthe bag wall, whereby when the packaged mattress is in the compressedevacuated state, the adhered strip prevents de-evacuation of thepackaged mattress and maintains the packaged mattress in the compressedevacuated state, and whereby the adhered strip may be at least partiallyremoved to de-evacuate the packaged mattress releasing the packagedmattress to the uncompressed non evacuated state, the adhered stripreplaceable on the exterior surface of the bag wall; and a seal formedat the vent and the exterior surface of the bag wall so that theadhesive strip prevents fluid communication between the passageway andan outside atmosphere.